Today Is: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sun, 25 Apr 2021 -- The Lectionary Cycle is: B

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Collect for: Fourth Sunday of Easter O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. New Testament Acts 4:5-12 5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, 'By what power or by what name have you done this?' 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.' Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Psalm Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. *At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. New Testament 1 John 3:16-24 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God. Gospel John 10:11-18 Introduction to the Gospel: Deacon:The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John. People: Glory to You, Lord Christ. Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 10, beginning at verse 11. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.' After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says: Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, Lord Christ. Prayers of the People Prayers of the People for: Fourth Sunday of Easter Brothers and sisters, God's ears are always open to the prayers of His people. Therefore, let us bring our needs and the needs of the whole world before Him. That the Church will remain faithful in preaching that there is no other Name under heaven by which one may be saved, but the Holy Name of Jesus. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. That Church leaders will shepherd their people in the manner of Christ the Good Shepherd. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. That our schools and hospitals will turn to God and seek His guidance and grace as they serve the needs of their people. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. That as God's representatives on earth, we will help satisfy the hungry, welcome the stranger, remember the widow and orphan, and protect the unborn. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. That those who live in fear will remember that God is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. That we will love in word and deed by laying down our lives for others. Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. For our own special intentions. (Pause) Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer. God our Father, because of Your great goodness and mercy You care for us. Hear our prayer and grant us the grace to follow Jesus our Good Shepherd. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN